Children's Hospital Foundation Gala boosts pediatric
heart support
Valentine hearts, antique-style chandeliers, gauze streamers, and romantic jazz music created the ambience for "Big Hearts for Little Hearts"--Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation's Seventh Annual Gala. Taking place on February 6, 2000, the event paid special tribute to Loma Linda's pediatric heart program with a reunion of more than 100 children who have received heart transplants here since the program began in 1985.
Featured musical guests included vocalist Nina Whitaker (seen in the movie "The Bodyguard"), who, along with the children, performed "The Power of the Dream;" violinist Jaime Jorge; and vocalist Tim Davis.
World-renowned Hollywood songwriter, producer, and composer David Foster and his wife, Linda, served as masters of ceremonies. The Fosters have a special connection to children who have received organ transplants. Their Canada-based organization has assisted 137 families from British Columbia who have children in need of major organ transplants.
A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of a check for $175,000 to the pediatric heart program. Many members of the heart team gathered on stage to accept the check including Leonard L. Bailey, MD, professor and chair of the department of surgery, and Susan Krider, RN, MS, administrative director of Loma Linda International Heart Institute.
Proceeds from the Gala will be used to fund a mobile heart van, telemedic technology, Open Hearts for Children, and infant heart research.
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